Enko-ji Temple (Hida City, Gifu Prefecture)

Overview

Enko-ji Temple, located in Hida City's Furukawa district along the picturesque Seto River and Shirakabe Dozo-gai (white-walled storehouse street), is a Jodo Shinshu temple affiliated with the Nishi Hongwanji sect. It's one of the temples visited during the Santera Mairi pilgrimage on January 15th. The main hall, rebuilt in 1667, retains architectural elements from the Muromachi period. Look for the "Water-Calling Turtle" carving under the eaves, said to have protected the temple from the great fire of 1904. The temple gate is a relocated castle gate from Masushima Castle, built by warlord Kanamori Arishige. A monument to poet Wakayama Bokusui stands behind the temple. It is easily accessible, just a 3-minute walk from JR Hida-Furukawa Station.

Visit Information